Convertible vehicle.



G. H. STRATTON.

CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED 001211.1907.

921 177. Patented May 11, 1909.

5 sums-sum 1.

U. H. STRATTON.

CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE.

' APPLIUATION FILED OUT 11,1907. 921 ,177, Patented May 11, 1909.

l 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' lizorrzqz s.

G. H. STRATTON.

CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE.

nruouxon 1mm) 001211.1901.

Patented May 11, 1909.

5 SHEETS8HEET 3.

girll 2W? asses:

4 Zfarnegs.

G. H. STRATTON.

UOIWEETIBLE VEHICLE.

APPLIOATIOH 21mm 001. 11,1907.

Patented May 11, 1909.

5 SHEET8SHBET 4.

71 2? 12 asses:

O. H. STRATTON.

CONVERTIBLE VEHIOLE. APPLIOATIOH FILED our. 11,1001.

921,177. Batented May 11, 1909.

5 SHEETS-$111131 5.

Wig/3.

. [72 z/ezziorr 2 W JZZornegs PATEN '1. OFFICE.

UllAltLlEb' H. E'lRAVlUN, G1" MUNUIE, INIJLANA CON VERTI'BLE VEHICLE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Application filed October 1 1907. Serial No. 396,960.

. To all whom it may concern.-

Bu it known tlnit l, (militias ll. frl'rlm'irox, n citizen ol the lnitcd Filnlcs, rcsiding m Muncic, in tho county ol' Uclnwin'o and Stuttol lndinnn, lllLVt; invented it new and useful lniprovcnicnt in (onvei [,ible Vehicles, oi which. the following is n specification.

."lhis invention rclntcs to convcrtible vchicles, and more porticulorly to a convertible construction for automobiles or motor rchicles.

The primary objcot ol the invcntion is to produce a desirable vehicle of strong, stable and durable construction, and attractive at pcaronce, which can be quickly and easily convcrtcd into either at one seated vehicle i Capable of use as it covered or uncovered runabout and as it closed conveyance or coupe, or into n. lVl'O SOillOll vehicle capable of'usc {is it covered or uncovered touring; can and limousine, ofiddn whiih the souls itlt? iltljustnble to pnnb'l thii ot-c-upants to either v recline or to lie lull length, wherel'ly the cor can be used for sleeping;- [)lLi'PUSEJ.

(lther objects ol thc invention are to piovide it covered vehicle uitlr folding rear seat and top which are constructcd and connocteil in such manner Unit the vehicle can be con vcrted from a one to a. two-central vehicle, or vico verso, without disconnecting any of the ports. and so that tho folding section of the top will form the back wall or closure for the onc'seatcd vehicle; also to so construct and 'nrmnge tho foldimntop section and back and i connect .thcrn to t 1e rear seat that thcv will X servcto hold the rein sen/r securely 111 its lowercd'or folded position; also to provide the vehicle with side doors which can be opened to ennble the occupants of the rear seat to enter and leave the vehicle, and so construct the rear scat that when folded down out of the operative position. it will practically inclose and hide the doors; also to provide laterally extending gum-(ls or wings on the doors ailld body which close the between the sides of the rear seat and t 1e body whenthc rear seat is iolded down, to revcnt the entrance of dust and dirt also to lingo the backof the front seat, so that it can be turned down to 1;. horizontal position nndbridgo the space between the bottoms of the front rind rear seats, thusv lori'ning with the latteri berth or extended uninterruptcd surface upon which the occupants of the vehicle rnn repose, and to provide n loot board or rest with means for supporting itfin the l horizontal plane of the berth thus formed to give additional length tho-rote; also to inn prove the construction of convertible vehi tiled in the respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. ln tl. act ,panylng dlnwings, consisting of live enact; l -igurc 1 is a sido elevation of a convertible motor vehicle embodying the in,- vcntion,sho wing the some ready for use as a two-seated covered touring cor. Fig. 2 is a side clevatiorrof the body of the same converted into a sin le-seat-cd'semi-closed vehicle. Fig. 3'is a. ongitudinel sectional ole vntion thereof when ready for use as a twoseated 'vchicle. Fig. 4 is :1 similar V'iBW thereof converted into a single seated vehicle. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation thereof, similar to Fig. 3, but showin the book of the front seat swun I down and ills foot rest in position to form t to berth. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof, in line 6*6, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a. sectional den of the front eent,in line 7--7, 6. *ig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation in line 88, Fig. 5, showingthe foot rest in position for use. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the foot rest end its supporting means. Fig. 10 is a per spective view of one of the shackles for securing the sections of the folding back. Fig. .11 is a. transverse sectional elevation of the vehicle '11 line 11 -11, Fig. 3, lookin to the rear. lg. 1.2 is a sectional plan of ;t e rearportion of the bodynnd rear seq. in line 12-12, Fig. 3. Fig. 13 is a longiti; inal sec tionnl elevation, similar to Fig. Sfofa body of modified construction, showing the backs of the front and rear seats adjusted to form reclining seats. Fig. 1.4 is a. rear elevation of the body shown, in Fig. 13 the rear seat back being in its u night or closed osition.

' Like letters of relcrence refer to h (0 ports ;in the several figures.

A represents the sides of the box or body proper of the vehicle. In the construction shown, these sides are provided between their ends with upwardly-extending portions or panels a and. at their rear ends with u Jwo-l'dly-extending portions or panels ll. 1e intermediate side linels a are connected by a seat box a? whicli constitutes the bottom for the front seat of the vehicle and serves to .inclose parts of the motive ma.- chinery (not shown) as usual, and the sides A. are connected in iront and in rear ofthe seat box a by z'loor orbbottom portions 0. a. J The upper portions of the rear panelsa g ro rises a bottom d,

connected by a cross frame-piece or bar 0." and in rear thereof by deck boards or panels which with a transverse substantially upright card (1 form a box or receptacle a for tools or other articles. Two panels a." a" of the deck arc hinged, in any suitable manner, the former at its front edge and the latter at its rear or lower edge and form doors for the tool box. The free ends of these doors, which meet when closed, can be socured by any suitable lock a).

B represents an ordinary hood or casing at the front end of the body for inclosing a portion of the motive machinery. The body with the exception of its rear ortion, which is preferably constructed as escribed, may be of any usual or suitable construction.

0 represents the front seat, which referably consists of the bottom formed y the seat box a, and sides a and a back 0' rising from said box. The back is preferably arranged between the sides and bin ed at its lower edge to the rear edge of the 'ottom in any suitable rnanner so that it can be swung backwardly and downwardly and secured in diiierent ositions. The seat is wider than the seat on: a", or projects outwardly over the side panels a, as usual, to give more seat room for the occupants.

D represents t e rear seat, which comopposite sides (1 and a ack d secured to the side and rear edges of the bottom. The sides of the rear seat straddle the tool box or receptacle a at the rear end of the body, and their u per portions are offset or extend outwardly yond their lower ortiorls to give the seat reater width than t e box or body, as usua The lower portions of the sides of the rear seat closely embrace thel rear portion of the bpdy or box a. and are pivoted theretoin any suitable manner, for instance, by horizontal bolts 6' Figs. 1, 3 and 11, so that the rear seat can be folded or swu forwardly and downwardly on said pivots mm the upright or o )erative position; shown in Figs. 1 and 3, nto the closed or riplerative-position, shownin Figs. 2 and 4. l e rear'seat 1s prevented from swinging rearwardly beyond the upright op; erative position by the front edges of the lower ortions of its sides bearing against suitab e sto' s d, Fi 1 pro'ccting laterally from the si es of the bod t can be locked in the-upri ht position and held from swinging forwardly y an suitable means, such, for instance, as a late d, Figs. 3 and 12, pivoted in a oeket in the cross bar a of the frame an adapted to swing horizontally rearward so that its free end will engage in a recess (1 in the front edge of the bottom board of the seat, as shown in Fig. 12. When it is desired to close or fold the rear seat downwardly, the latch is swung forwardly into the ocket in the cross bar a. of the frame. i hen the rear set is turned down the front edges of its sides rest upon horizontal foot boards 11, Figs. 1, .2 and 12, which project outwardly from the rear portions of the sides of the body, and its bottom board (1 bears against the upright rear face of the frame cmss-bar a". The under-lace ofthe bottom board and the back of the rear seat then form portions of the deck or rear portion of the box or body, and the lower portions of the sides ol" the seat, which conlorin in shape to the rear side panels a inclose and hide t ese panels. The rear seat is strongly built and when it is turned down it incloses the rear portion of the body in a box-like .structure which adds to the stiifness and rigidity of the body, tending to resist lateral twistin or racking strains thereon.

and rear seats are cushioned or u bolstered as usual, the bottom cushionsv of oth seats bein preferably loose or detached, and that, d", o the rear seat consisting of two hin ed sections, see Fi 11, so that it can be fol ed and stowed in t 1e body under the rear seat, 'as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4,when

the rear seat is folded down.

The bod "of the vehicle is provided with side doors between the front and rear seats to enable the occupants of the rear seat to get into and ut of the vehicle. The doors are hinged at heir front edges to swing out- .wardly, for iilstance, by lower and upper hinges e e connected respectively to the intermediate side panels a and to'the overhanging portion of the front seat, see Figs. 1. and 2. The doors are provided with outwardly extending dust guards or things e which conform in shape to the up er. edges of the sides of the rear seat ang'cktend downwardly to nieet the foot boards dw'hen the doors are closed. The rear seat is wide enough so that whcl it is folded down its. ,sides will partially inc. ose and hide the doors, and the upper and front edges of the sides of the seat willrest against or close to the-door -wings e" and foot boards (1, res actively, so that these parts will ell'cctual y close the spaces between the sides oi the rear seat and t ic body and thus revcn't the entrance of dust and dirt into tlie closed seat.

The top or cover of the vehicle consists of a stationary front section-F and a folding rear section F which is hinged at its front edge, in any suitable manner, to the rear edge of the front section. The front top section is carried by side supports f whic i, in the construction shown; consists of solid side walls or ianels which are; bolted or otherwise detac hably secured to the sides of the front-seat and are provided ith side windows f. The folding top-sect qn F is hin ed at, its rear end to the upper; end of ant issup orted by a folding bac' which is him ed at its lower edge of t e book of the rear seat, an consists of to the upper portion.

The ottom, sides and backs of the front two sections y y hinged to each other. Any 1 suitable hinge connections for joining the sections together and to the top and rear seat can be used. The back sections are rigid and are provided with suitable shackles or l'astenings [or holding their hinge joint 1 rigid so as to form a rigid support for the 1 rear end of the l'oldin top section I but", they canconsist of solid wooden panels, as shown inFigs. 1-5 and 11, or of open frames or posts g g, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14,

in which latter case a curtain could be used for the back inclosure or wall of the vehicle. The shackles shown (see Figs. 1, 10 and 1]) for holding the buck sections rigid consist of slotted irons 9* fixed to the sides of the i u per beck section and adapted to interlock with tum-buttons g on the adjacent portions-oi the lower section. If solid back panels are used, a window 9 is preferably n'ovided in the lower one, see Fig. 11. en the reerseat is folded down or closed, the rear section of the top will swing d0wn iwardly and the back 9 g forwardly to the position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4. he parts can be left in this position if desired, which will uil'ord side openings in rear of the side walls], or the shackles gy can be released, which will permit the folding section F of the top to swing forwardly against the back of the front seat and the two bacl sections 9 g to fold upon each other upwerdly between the top section and the back of the front seat, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thei'olding top section F then constitutes a heck wall or closure. and a. one-' seated sour-closed or hooded vehicle is provided which can be cornpletely closed in to 5 form a cod i if desired, by providing the} usual hin d front glass panel or window ll and closing, the side openings in front of the front seat by ordinary side curtains ,or 1 doors. When the rear seat, top and back l are thus folded, the hinges joinrnp the two' baekseetions g y will lie approxi.nately in a. straight line connecting the hinges which; join the folding top section to the stationary top section and the lowerback section 9 to the rear seat, and the parts will therefore lock the rear seat in the closed position, or prevent it free raising until thetop section T is first swung .rem'wnrdl to straighten out the folding back g g. '1 1e top, and back constructed and connected to the pivoted or folding rear seat 'as described,- whereby the can fold with the seat and close the I bee of the one-seated vehicle without disconnecting any of the parts, could be used with a pivoted rear seat re erdless of the Tithe partieuler'menner of pivoting t e seat. i

oonstruction of the same an the holy, and

I, Figs. 3 and 4, represents bolts swivdled to the side wsllef and having vhooksto engage n eyeslfen the folding top section F, an thumb-w nter; for (ire-wing the top seca pose could be employed.

' end by closing the [rent window I tion tightly u against the rear ed es of the side wellsjl Vheu thus secured, t re folding top section not only cannot rattle, but it fora-is a tight beck closure and serves to brace and strengthen the side walls. Any other suitable fastening means for this pur- The folding top section F is lrel'ernbly provided with do endin side flanges or 'ieccs K which enirece t re side wallsf when the top section is folded, and the rec-r portions of these flanges are widened and shaped to recticelly iuelose and hide the folded bucli g g, as

shown in Fig. 2, thereby adding to the attractive appearance of t vehicle.

When the rear sent 15 thrown up for use, a two-scated covered toiirlng our 15 provided,

plyiin ordinary rear side curtains or doors a closed vehicle or limousine is provided.

'lhesidesfan-l hm l; y g together with the top supported thereby can be (.letached, when the vehicle can be. used either as a. runabout or two-seated touring ear.

The back 0 of the front seat, as before stated, is hinged to the rear corner of the seat box, and it can be swung downwardly and rearwerdly to a horizontal position so as to rest upon the top edges of the rear side rancls e of the body, as shown in Fig. 5.

be back is of sullieient height to span the spucc between the front and rear seats when turned down, and its cushion is of proper size and shape to form with the cushions of the front and rear seats a continuous or uninterrupted cushioned berth or bed surface upon which the occupants of the vehicle can repose or sleep.

l1 represents a foot board or rest, which ordinarily stowed beneath the rent seat cushion, as shown in Fig. 3, but whit-b can be pulled out and so iported in the horizontal plane 01' the top 0 the seat cushions as a rest for the feet. As shown in Figs. 5., 8 and i J; the foot rest is supported in position for use by front legs I pivoted to its side portions and adapted to be turned down vertically and engaged in suitable sockets 1 provided therefor in the bottom of the vehicle, and

rear legs or supports Z which are pivoted to the front seat. When in use, these rear supportsare held in the inclined position. shown in Figs. 8 and 9, by the engagement of their lower ends against stop )ins l", and the notched rear end of the foot, card rests upon their upper ends. .When not in use, the rear sup )orts Z are turned inwardl into a horizontal position, as shown by d tted lines'in Fig. 8, where the will be out of the way. The foot rest cou d be supported in operative position in various ot'h r ways. The foot rest is slotted-at l in its nt po r,

and aptionto straddle the. steering post when 1n in front 0 in upright position by any suitable means, but a fastening bar M, Figs. 6 and 7, is preferably emplo ed for this purpose. One end of this bar is ooked and engages in an eye I: on the rear part of one side of the front seat, and the other end rests in a slotted keeper 7:." on the rear part of the otherside of the seat and is threaded and provided with a thumb nut whereby the two sides of the seat 1 tion and to said rear seat and comprising sections hinged to fold upwardly whereby said can be drawn in against the ends of the back to hold the back firmly and stiffen the seat as a whole. The fastening bar is bent away from the seat back between its ends and serves as a coat rack. Straps N or other adjustable fastening devices are also preferably provided whereby the back of the front seat can be held in an inclined position to provide a reeliningseat, as shownin Fig. 13. rear seat hinged and provided with similar straps O for securing it, too, in an inclined position. When the reclining rear seat is used, an ordinary or suitable backeurtain or closure shown in Fig. 13, can be provided to rote-ct the occupants.

claim as my invention: ,L if a convertiblevehicle, the combination. of 'a body, afront seat, a shiftable rear seatlwhiizh is movable into and out of opera tive position, a top'having a folding rear sec tion, and a backs q'iport for said folding top section connected to the same and to said rear seat to move with the latter and ada ted to fold between said top section and the acK of said front seat, said support fOI'IILlII a back closure for said rear seat when the latter is in its operative position, and said folding top section being of suflicient length to form a back closure for said front seat when folded down, substantially as set forth.

2. In a convertible vehicle, the combination of a body, a front seat, a shiftable rear seat which is movable into and out of operative position, a top hhving a folding rear section, and a folding back support for said folding top section hinged thereto and to said rear seat, whereby said folding top section is swung-downwardly by shifting said rear seat and said folding support is adapted to fold between said folding top section and said front seat, substantially as set forth.

3. In a convertible vehicle, the combination of a seat pivoted to fold forwardly and downwardly, a top having a folding rear section, and a back support for said folding top section hinged thereto and to said seat and comprising sections hinged to fold upwardly said folding top seciionfisubstantially as set forth.

4. In a convertible vehicle, the combination of a spit pivoted to fold forwardly and downwai'dly, a top having a. folding rear section, a back support for said folding top section hinged thereto and to said seat and comprising sections hinged to This figure also shows the back of the in front of said folding top section, and means for holding said folding back su port rigid in supporting position, substantia ly as set forth.

5. In a convertible vehicle, the combination of a front seat, a rear seat arranged to fold forwardly, a top having a folding rear section hin ed to swing downwardly, and a folding bacli hinged to said folding top secfolding to section can be folded downwardly to orrr. a back closurefor said front seat with said folding back between the same and said front seat, substantially as set forth.

6. In a convertible vehicle, the combina tion of a front scat, a rear seat arranged to fold forwardly, a top" having a folding rear section hinged to swing downwardly, and a back sup ort for said folding top section connected thereto and to said rear seat and forming a back closure for said rear seat, said sup ort being constructed to fold between sal folding top section and said front seat and to allow said section to hang close to said seat, and means for securing said folding top section in its folded position, substantially as set forth. i

7. In a convertible vehicle, the combination of a body, a shifting, seat pivoted to said body to fold downwardly, said seat being of greater width than-said body and having sides which straddle the sides of said body and are separated therefrom by intervening spaces when the seat is folded, and dust guards and foot boards which project laterally from said body and cooperate to close the spaces between said bodyv and the sides of said seat when the latter is in its folded position, said foot boards forming steps when the seat is in its operativ'e position. substam tially as set forth.

8v In a convertible vehicle, the e'oinbination of a body having movable side floors, a shifting seat pivoted to downwardly and having sides which straddle said doors when the seat is folded, and dust guards .which project laterally from said doors and partially close the spaces between the sides of said seat and said body when said seat is folded, said doors with said guards being adapted to be moved forwardlyia to permit access to said seat when the latter is in its operative position, substantially as se forth.-

Q. In aconvertible *Vlahielp the combinw tion of a body having hinged "sidezdoors, a shifting seat pivoted to said body to fold downwardly and having. sides which straddle said doors when the seat is folded, dust guards which project laterally from said ours and artially close the siaces between the sides 0 said seat and sai ody, and foot fold upwardly l'rmn'ds which project from said body and said bodv to fold close the lower portions of the spaces be- 1 tion olaseathaving sides, and a hinged back tween the sides of said seat and said body, between said sides, and a tie rod connecting 2.. said doors with said guards being adapted to i the sides of said seat to hold them firmly swing forwardly to permit access to said seat when the latter is 1n its operative )osition ands'aid foot boards forming steps therefor, substantially as set forth.

10. Ina convertible vehicle, the combination of a body having hinged side doors, foot boards which project fromsaid body, dust guards which project laterally from said against said back, said tie rod having a portion between its ends which is spaced-from said back to form a coat rack, substantially as set forth.

12. in a convertible vehicle, the combination oi a body having a rear deck with a sub- 001's and extend approximately to said foot adapted to swinglforwardly to permit access 1907.

go to said seat when the latter is m its operative osition and said foot boards forming steps erefor, substantiall as set forth. 7 11. In a. convertib e vehicle, the combine- .boards, and a seat which is pivoted to the E stantially upright upper portion, and a seat lntvlng SltltS straddling said dock and pivoted to said body, and a bottom cmlneeting said 1 sides, said seat being adapted to swing forwardly and downwardly with its bottom in substantially upright position against said upright portion oi said deck, substantially as set forth.

\Vitness my hand, this 4th day of October,

CHARLES ll. S'lRAT'lOX, Witnesses NELLIE P. MITCHELL,

W. L. LYoNs. 

